大使命19
三股合成的繩子：聖經、歷史和預言
這週我們將繼續檢視主在馬太福音十三章52節的話語：
祂說：凡文士受教作天國的門徒，就像一個家主從他庫裡拿出新舊的東西（珍寶）來。
我信主已經超過四十年了，我很蒙福能與不同陣營、運動和教派的人有交情。我熱愛基督身體裡的多樣性，欣賞所有我們所處在的『支派』。地上沒有任何實體能像它一樣有如此的多樣性、機會和能力來塑造世界。它是如此美好，我們卻用不到其百分之十的潛力。我們使用的如此少，它所成就的卻如此多，此意謂它是地上目前最有潛力的實體，勝過政府、機構、文化或其他宗教。
儘管基督的身體現在有許多爭議和問題，但我們有確切的預言，就是在這世代末了她會變得完全。任何人都可以看見她的軟弱、錯誤，甚至有異端蔓延到其中的一些部分。這三樣東西轉變並摧毀許多潛在的偉大運動，直到今日仍在大部分的肢體中間運作。我認識許多曾掉入那些陷阱的人，他們出來後、修正路線、學到教訓，繼續往前走，他們因著這些經歷變得更強壯。正如聖經中的例子，他們並沒有因犯錯而被定罪，倘若人們可以聽到這些犯錯者的故事，不知可以避免多少相同的錯誤？
新一代不需要像上一代一樣重蹈覆轍的時候已來到，文士是其中的關鍵。文士不單為在上位者寫詔書，他們也記錄歷史。箴言已證明『那些不能從歷史經驗中汲取教訓的人，注定要重蹈覆轍』。現在就可以停止這樣的狀況，但我們必須有智慧瞭解認識歷史的重要性，好處是能更加瞭解我們自己的世代，也可以為未來做更好的預備。
晨星期刊（The MorningStar Journal）的目的是想透過文章和影像分享我們時候的重要信息，在每一期的期刊中，我們不但嘗試給予平衡的屬靈饗宴，更有來自聖經、歷史和預言的深入觀點。神讓我看見這三樣東西就像是『三股合成的繩子』不容易折斷。透過聖經可以看見這三樣東西相互交織在一起，尤其是在先知書信中。聖經的作者常以早期的經文和歷史作為預言的基礎；這三樣東西也出現在歷世歷代偉大聖徒的生活和寫作中，亦出現在我們時代帶來重要影響的聖徒中。
正如耶穌在上述經文所說的，身為天國門徒的文士，將從他庫裡拿出新舊的珍寶來。雖然這並不是門徒訓練拿出新舊珍寶的唯一地方，新舊珍寶卻是對門訓的一個要求。
今日我們比以往擁有更多的資源，人們也可以立即與幾乎全世界的人交通。不會因為這些取得更容易，就代表智慧和知識的珍寶變得更廉價。由於資訊取得容易，許多人反而變得更膚淺而不深入。在安然度過未來時候之前，我們需要更堅固的根基和亮光。儘管這些東西對懂得利用這些資源的人隨手可得，但仍需要有一顆尋求的心。
(摘自喬納 word for the week, Week 19, 2013)
A Cord of Three Strands: Scripture, History, and Prophecy –
The Great Commission, Part 19
Week 19, 2013
Rick Joyner
This week we will continue to examine the Lord’s Word in Matthew 13:52:
“Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.”
I have been a Christian for more than forty years, and I have been blessed to have some level of fellowship with those from virtually every camp, movement, and denomination. I love the diversity of the body of Christ and appreciate all of the different “tribes” we have in it. It is an entity like no other on earth in its diversity, scope, and power to shape the world. It is that great while operating on probably less than 10 percent of its potential. That it is accomplishing so much while using so little of its potential means that it has the greatest upside potential of any other entity on the planet by far, which includes governments, institutions, cultures, or other religions.
The body of Christ has many issues and problems now, but we have the sure word of prophecy that she will come into her fullness before the end of this age. Anyone can see her weaknesses, errors, and even heresies that have crept into some parts. The same three things that have sidetracked and often destroyed many potentially great movements are still operating within much of the body today. I have known many who have fallen into those traps, have gotten out, corrected their course, learned the lessons, and kept on going. They are much stronger because of the experience. How many others could be spared from making the same mistakes if the stories of those who made them could be told, as they are in Scripture, without them being condemned for making mistakes?
The time has come when each new generation does not have to make the same mistakes as the past ones. Scribes are a key to this. Scribes were not only the ones who wrote the decrees for the governing authorities, but they documented history. The proverb has been proven that “those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.” This can stop now, but we must have the wisdom to understand the importance of knowing history. The result will be a better understanding of our own times and being better prepared for the future.
The purpose of The MorningStar Journal is to distribute through articles and videos the important messages for our times. In each edition, we try to give a balanced spiritual meal, but also a broadening and deepening perspective from the Scriptures, history, and prophecy. I was shown these as a “cord of three strands” that cannot be easily broken. These three can be seen intertwined throughout the Scriptures and especially in the writings of the prophets. The writers of Scripture often refer to earlier Scripture and then to history as a basis for their prophecies. These three are also found in the lives and writings of the great saints of history and in the high-impact saints of our own times.
As Jesus said in the Scripture quoted above, the scribes that are disciples of the kingdom of heaven will bring forth from their treasures things both new and old. There is not only a place for both in discipleship, but there is a requirement for both.
We have more sources at our disposal today than ever before in history. Anyone can also communicate virtually around the world instantly. Because these are easier does not mean that the real treasures of wisdom and knowledge are any cheaper. Because of the ease with which information flows to us, many are becoming more shallow rather than deeper. We will need stronger foundations and more light than ever before to make it through the unfolding times. These are available for those who will take advantage of them, but the heart that seeks is still required.
